World Bank provides funding to Ghana and other countries

- The Board of the World Bank Group has approved the Regional Off-Grid Electrification Project (ROGEP), to expand off-grid access to electricity for populations in 19 countries

- The new project is aligned with the World Bank Group’s twin goals of poverty reduction and shared prosperity and the Africa Climate Business Plan

The Board of the World Bank Group has approved the Regional Off-Grid Electrification Project (ROGEP), to expand off-grid access to electricity for populations in 19 countries in West Africa and the Sahel region.

The initiative which includes $150 million in the form of credit and grant from the International Development Association (IDA) and $74.7 million contingent recovery grant from the Clean Technology Fund will help the West African Development Bank and ECOWAS’ Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency to execute the project.

The overall objective of ROGEP is to increase electricity access of households, businesses, and public institutions using modern stand-alone solar systems through a harmonized regional approach.

The project is expected to benefit about 1.7 million people currently living without electricity connection or with unreliable supply, as well as businesses and public institutions who will use modern stand-alone solar systems to improve their living standards and economic activities.

“So far, only 3 percent of households in West Africa and the Sahel are served by stand-alone solar home systems, and 208 million people in the sub-region do not have access to electricity. The project seeks to assist regional policymakers to address barriers to create a regional market for stand-alone solar systems, which is essential to reduce energy poverty in the region, and entrepreneurs to take opportunities in this market through development of scalable business solutions,” said Rachid Benmessaoud, Coordinating Director for Regional Integration in West Africa.